To be recognized by one’s peers is always nice, but to be recognized by the customers to whom you serve is truly something special.

For a customer to go out of his way to provide a kind word or gesture for a job well done is increasingly rare in our ever-more-hectic world.

A Natchez man made such a huge impression on a tourist that the tourist just had to tell someone about it. The tourist’s excitement by the high level of customer service he experienced culminated in a special ceremony at Melrose antebellum house Sunday.

Barney Schoby Jr. was all smiles and for good reason.

The Natchez National Historical Park guide was selected as the national winner of the Flat Hat Award.

The recognition is given by the National Park Traveler’s Club to honor a National Park Service ranger or volunteer who has gone above and beyond the basics of his or her role to help inform visitors to national parks.

One might think Schoby is a seasoned park service veteran whose long service eventually earned him the national honor. In fact, he’s only been a full-time ranger for less than one year.

His excitement and professionalism in giving Natchez visitors an exceptionally informative tour of Melrose earned national honors and exemplifies the level of customer-focused service our entire area must possess to help make the 2016 tricentennial celebration a success that reaps benefits long after the first wave of visitors have gone home.

Congratulations to Mr. Schoby on a job well done, and our thanks for representing Natchez so well.